Page 54 - Off The Tourist Trail - 1000 Unexpected Travel Alternatives (Part 2 of 2)

222 5 MORE TROPICAL MOUNTAINS TO RIVAL KILIMANJARO

SPORTS AND ACTIVITIES Mount Wilhelm Mauna Loa 0ABIV .PMPLBAJ Copa &$6"%03 #3";*-

NEED TO KNOW
NEED TO KNOW
NEED TO KNOW
LOCATION Mount Wilhelm
LOCATION Copa is
LOCATION Mauna Loa lies
located in the Cordillera
is in the Bismarck Mountains
in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National
,BVBAJ
of Papua New Guinea
Park on the Big Island of
Blanca, a mountain range
-ūIVAF
in the Peruvian Andes
Hawai‘i, US
3BCBVM
HIGHEST POINT
.06/5
)POPMVMV
8*-)&-.
HIGHEST POINT
14,793 ft (4,509 m)
HIGHEST POINT
-BF
.ŔVJ
FIRST CLIMBED In 1938
by Australian Leigh Vial, who
FIRST CLIMBED
FIRST CLIMBED
)JMP
#JH
became a World War II patrol
In 1794 by Scotsman
In 1932 by a German expedition
1PSU
1&36
.PSFTCZ
1BDJmD
watcher in Papua New Guinea
team led by Erwin Schneider
Archibald Menzies
."6/"
0DF B O
1BDJmD
CLIMBERS PER YEAR
CLIMBERS PER YEAR
$PSBM 4FB
CLIMBERS PER YEAR 1"16" /&8 (6*/&" 13,679 ft (4,169 m) )"8"*A* -ŔOBAJ *TMBOE -0" 20,302 ft (6,188 m) 5SVKJMMP -JNB $01" #0-*7*"
"6453"-*" 0DFBO
Fewer than 1,000 Fewer than 1,000 Fewer than 200 "SFRVJQB
The jagged granite summit of Mount Wilhelm, Rising over 30,000 ft (9,000 m) from the ocean Less than 10 degrees south of the equator lies the
the highest peak in Papua New Guinea, is quite a floor, Hawai‘i’s Mauna Loa is both the largest world’s highest tropical mountain range, Peru’s
departure from the highland route that leads you volcano and mountain in the world. Yet from a Cordillera Blanca (see also p85). These mountains,
there, which ascends through dense rain forest, distance, its gently sloping sides and apparently which cradle hundreds of glaciers and form part
temperate mountain forest, and open grassland flat summit belie this magnitude. The volcano’s of South America’s continental divide, contain
before breaking out into rugged alpine terrain. 39-mile (63-km) circular trekking route cuts no less than 27 rugged summits that are higher
The trek to the top of the mountain takes three across a spectacular landscape of different types than Mount Kilimanjaro and are cut sharply by
to four days and although it isn’t technical, it of exposed lava, and although it’s virtually lifeless plunging glacial valleys. It’s a mountaineer’s
involves some steep scrambling near the top. The here – there are no plants, animals, or birds in dream. The most accessible of these towering
snowfields that used to carpet the mountain no sight – the surreal rock formations provide a peaks is Copa, which can be climbed up and
longer exist, but the air in the higher elevations fascinating backdrop to the trail. As you approach either climbed or skied down. Burros carry your
is still cool and crisp. From the summit on a clear the summit caldera, cinder cones, gas emissions, equipment to a base camp, from which point
day there are spectacular views north to the and ground swelling serve as a constant you will follow the tongue of a glacier that leads
Pacific Ocean and small coastal islands. reminder that this is an active volcano, with to a route up the mountain’s western ridge.
plenty of punch still remaining.
Practical Information Practical Information
Getting There and Around Fly into Goroka, which is in the center of Papua Practical Information Getting There and Around From the Peruvian capital, Lima, it’s an
New Guinea. Here you can join an organized trekking group and travel by Getting There and Around Fly into Hilo and either rent a car or catch a 8-hour bus ride to Huaraz, where you can acclimatize before taking
shuttle bus to a base camp on Mount Wilhelm. shuttle bus from there to Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, which is a a 2-hour ride by local bus or private shuttle to the trailhead.
When to Go The best climbing conditions are from May to November. 45-minute drive away. When to Go The best time to climb Copa is in the dry season, which
Website www.pngtrekkingadventures.com When to Go Mauna Loa can be climbed at any time of year, though the is from May to September.
weather is best between June and August. Website For general information on the Cordillera Blanca visit
The barren rocky summit of Mount Wilhelm, Papua New Guinea, set Website www.nps.gov/havo www.peaksandplaces.com
against a brilliant blue sky
Lone hiker on top of the expansive, gently sloping summit of The dramatic snowcapped summit of Copa, Cordillera Blanca, Peru
Mauna Loa, Hawai’i, US

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